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One of the ladies looked and the laughed. “That is just how they talk dear. Those three grew up together and have been that way forever. It isn’t serious until fights fly and even then it won’t last but a day. We are so used to it, but it would look odd to you. Now then can you tell me is it is true that Fay cloth is sold on the streets in Glacier?”

“You would. I don’t get your fascination with the Fay.” Another said. “I want to know why they all live in tents, of all things. Surely that is just an old story. I just can’t believe it could be so.”

I smiled. “It is true that we have a good deal of trade with the Fay and a lot of their items are found with ease. It all depends on the grade of the cloth, but yes some is sold in the stalls right along with our own. Shops are manly just for food goods or large items, and even then they will have an open front when they are open. The stores like you have just never took off.  We have more that find it troubling to be under a rough all the time. As odd as that sounds, a number of our people will seek a tent over a sold house when having to get out of a storm.” Smiling I let them lead me over to the others and spent the rest of the time answering questions about Glacier. Over all it was worth it and hopefully it helped. Still I was glad to get out of there and back to the room for the map a couple new reports then to the library, where I was able to relax. Maps and reports and debates about texts were what I felt comfortable with. It was nice to be able to unwind, for all it meant I didn’t get to my old room that day. I do need to get the things I want out in hopes they will turn it over as I thought they had. This is not home, they shouldn’t have kept it for me. Then it could just be they have no need of it yet. Still there are a few things I want as he said I could have them, not that I was going to ask for more than a copy of the painting. That I have missed being able to see before I sleep, as odd as it is. Tomorrow I will get it. I just wonder which will ask why we are in the family area, for there is no way I am going to be able to get away from them. Not with Dale here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

I felt lighter as I left the ring and started to the house. It had been god to work out even if I startled a few. I do think that I have them convinced now that I can hold my own. Maybe I should have held back a bit more, but it was fun to cross with Dev again. I am glad to see that he kept up with it. No wonder he has a master sword. Still we were getting a few scared looks by the time we stopped. I looked at him and nodded at the man next to him. Just how should I great him? I don’t think he is here just now as a Knight of the Realm, and I am sure that Dev isn’t ready for me to know who his bonded is. Still best I give a hint that I do know. “So how badly did we scare them? I forgot they were there. I do hope their sergeant is able to get them back to their drills now.”

He said. “It was fun and it might just get a few to work harder. It is good to see you taking joy in it, for all you were still holding back on me. Is that a Fay blade? It is not like any I have seen.”

I shrugged. “I held back only as must as any of Fay with a human. You have skill and are worthy of the Master blade you now carry.” He looked at me oddly. “It is not a maker known to be, but it is marked. Yes my blade is Fay, an no you would have seen its like. Few have for few were made. These are used only by Fay Riders.”

That had Dev stop. “Huntsmen?” Oliver coughed, but Dev didn’t notice. “It can’t be. I mean those were just legends. You said you found more fiction than fact in them back when we were reading them.”

I smiled a bit. “No, the Huntsmen blades belong to the Kelpies. Now my knives are made by them, but my sword is Fay. As I said there was more fiction than fact to those stories. One of the riders in that tale did have a blade like it, but it was not talked of in it, for that rider was never said to have a blade at all.”

Dev blinked. “How did they come to have Kelpie blades? There are no records of them even being around. Yet those batters were near here and they said they were giving the blades on the eve of it. I guess that could be wrong, but that was something that I thought had to be right. Wait you said your knives were. So from the Fay then?”

I said. “The tales call all the Old Races Fay no matter that not all are. All the old races gave aid in some form during the last wars and it is reasonable to think they will in the one that is coming. The blades were received on the eve of battle, but perhaps not quite as the tale says, that is for those involved to know. My knives were a gift. Kelpies do not ever sell weapons.”

Dev shook his head. “You are even better at those half answers. Now then a rider who didn’t appear to have a blade. The story was all about the battle, Wait, not. Not in the opening. They started with the teacher being sent on the last joinery. So, no they said he was one of the Fifteen. Just how could that relate? There has to be another. Fred you could help not just stand there shaking your head. I know I am missing something here, but you know how I well I get the courts.”

Fred said. “You have not Looked at your sister love.”

Dev said. “Why would I? I mean she isn’t one I need to.” He trailed off and his eyes widened a bit as he realized what Fred was saying. “No, but that means. You Ranked in the Fay service?”

I smiled. “Dev has not yet made contact with any of his Fay relatives. He should do so, they could help. Dev I did not compete in any Fay trial, but I did train among the knights when I was living there.” He was looking more puzzled, not wanting to admit what he knew. It is hard to realize your sister was a member of a legendary group. “I am a Fay rider my bond to Ryder was strengthening my Fay blood and would have woke it fully.” He needed to know what Ryder was as well. Fay Dragons are fewer in numbers and seldom known to bond, but hold great power when they do. Power shared by their riders. He needed to see what I was as he would have to help Mike with Dad when the time came. “It will come to you. For now just introduce me to your mate. It is odd not to know what to call him here. This is not a place I expected to find a Lord of Light, if I have.”

Dev flushed a bit and coughed. Fred laughed and said. “Fred is fine, Highness.” That made Dev start, for it said that title was relevant in the Fay as well as here. “I am at this time just here as my bonded is. We are not yet ready to openly involve ourselves, but do see the signs.”

I nodded. “We were pleased to have your offers of aid, and relived. It is good to know you will come if the forecasts prove true. Do call me Anna, I get enough titles from those not family.” He smiled a bit.

Dev looked at us. “I do not think I want to know what I think I do. I am not sure which of my thoughts.”

Daren’s voice cut him off.”It is not safe. I don’t care about the weather. You can’t go on that hunt!”

Another voice said. “I didn’t say that I want to go. I just can’t find a way out. The day is nice, no storms. There is not a single event that I could be forced to go to. If I don’t go I am just going to be snubbing him.”

Daren said. “Do you have any idea how many of Keven’s hunts just happen to get attacked?” I froze, not today of all days. “How many have died on them? It is a trap Mark! Don’t be a fool. At least take me along if you are going to do this stupid thing.”

Dev put his hand on my arm, but I was already moving to them and didn’t look at him. Daren was right it was trap. However Mark couldn’t just invite him. Yet I can force it, and I am going to. I just have to get them to walk a bit more to where we will be heard.

Mark said. “Just how? I don’t see a way. It isn’t my hunt.”

I said. “You have any idea how loud you two are?” They turned and flushed a bit. “Daren you are right, but so is your brother. He can’t get you on the hunt nor get himself out of it. Not without causing an incident. However Mark all you need do is be upset with me in a few munities, and we can get one or the other done. The Governor and your father are just about here.”

They looked at me confused. Mark said. “Look it is just a hunt. It is a part of the congress that we go off on them. Daren is just upset that we don’t take guards, but we are all armed. I am sorry that you were disturbed by our argument.”

I nodded a bit then straightened and raised my voice. “I do not care if it is tradition. You are the heir to the throne! You cannot go out there without a rider in your party. All of you going have titles. Those titles make you targets. The games here are being watched. You should know that. There is no need to go making targets out of your self’s! Fine have your hunt, but you will take a rider with you.”

Mike said. “You can’t be serious. There is no reason I should have to take my brother along. We are not twelve. He needs to get over this left out nonsense.”

Daren said. “I did not say that I wanted to go. I said you were being a fool for going. That if you insisted on it then at least let me go so I can get reinforcements when the demons show! I don’t want to go on the hunt but I am not going to let you get yourself killed!”

Mike said. “Get over it. We are going hunting. We are not going to be out there unarmed we can.”